Never simple

Brief thoughts on some of the events making news from around Franklin County and the North Quabbin area:

Dateline Turners Falls: Looking for another example of the axiom that “nothing is as simple as it seems”? You only have to follow the Montague Economic Development and Industrial Corporation’s trials and tribulations concerning the former Cumberland Farms building on Avenue A. When the EDIC was approached by Montague Community Cable about taking over the building, residents no doubt thought that the plan would essentially fly through, especially after the August vote to OK the idea. Roughly three months later, there continue to be various sticking points with members of the EDIC and meanwhile the window of opportunity to do work on the building this year is closing. Right now, we agree with Montague Selectman Mark Fairbrother who sees patching the roof as a priority, no matter who is control of the building. Simple enough ... or is it?

Dateline the region: The idea of an animal shelter that will serve 13 area towns in Montague seems to be a good one. As the recent story in The Recorder reported, dogs started showing up even before work on the shelter was complete. For one thing, it’s good to have a place in the area where strays or lost dogs can be taken and where their owners can find them. And it shows an effort involving regionalization that truly meets a need. An open house is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. If you have the time, why not head over to the shelter, located at the end of Sandy Lane, off Turnpike Road in Montague, and see for yourself.

Dateline the region: As we follow the recovery efforts taking place up and down the East Coast following Hurricane Sandy, it is amazing that the Pioneer Valley escaped to the degree that it did. We do think that Sandy seems to have ushered in late fall, dreary days and cool temperatures. But beware, we’re told a Nor’easter is headed our way.

Dateline Greenfield and Turners Falls: It’s good to see the towns’ respective high school football teams doing so well this season, thus setting up a real showdown for the Thanksgiving Day game. We would like to think that this will generate a big crowd of spectators for the game — something that has been sorely missing for a number of years now. Let the countdown begin.